ROCK RUNNER 2020 of Support and of Kindness
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Volume 25 RockThe magazine of the RathkealeRunner Old Boys’ Association December 2020 Editorial GRANT HARPER (1967-71) ‘Change is in the Air’ New Zealanders, living at the ROBA Executive & farthest corner of the world, have So often over the years, change benefitted from being a small, Regional Committee has shaped our thoughts, our isolated island state. However, Representatives experiences, the paths we take the year’s challenges have been John Taylor Patron and the destinations we arrive at. real, and adaptability, resilience, Occasionally, we struggle with selflessness and fortitude have often Grant Harper President change but at other times it is a been needed to be to the fore. We Edward Cox Vice President/ welcome relief from the mundane, have repeatedly been referred to Secretary the over-familiar and the downright as a team of five million this year Wellington tedious. The rate of change over the and as a team, irrespective of our past one hundred years has, at times, Scott Andrew Treasurer political persuasion, most of us have Wairarapa been cataclysmic and disorientating. been proud of the manner in which It has reshaped both family life and we have lived alongside Covid Blair Ewington Executive/ society, questioned and undermined Facebook/Database and the challenges and changes Wairarapa time- honoured institutions and it has wrought. In many ways, it often shattered our dreams. has brought out the best in people Richard Donworth Executive and the relative peace and quiet of Wairarapa 2020 has thrown up unprecedented lockdown provided an opportunity Stuart McKenzie Executive challenges for the international to reassess the way in which we Wairarapa community. Drought, famine, choose to live our lives. climate change, fire, political Tim Falloon Executive Wairarapa turmoil and the global pandemic Those of us who have spent with its monumental impact, have formative time inside the gates Jacob Smith Executive all conspired to create a year most of Rathkeale, have learnt a raft of Wairarapa of us would prefer to forget. In the important lessons in the Chapel, in Richard White Executive Queen’s words from November the classroom, on the sports field, Wairarapa 1992, 2020 has been an annus in the Boarding Houses and in the horribilis. Jock Cameron Executive outdoors. We are familiar with the Wairarapa importance of team dynamics and of friendship, of resilience and of Tristan Armitage Executive courage, of faith and of compassion, Wairarapa ROCK RUNNER 2020 of support and of kindness. The David Pereira Executive Editor: Grant Harper Pillars of a Good Rathkeale Man Wairarapa Publication Preparation: Shelley Hancox remind us to be at ease with our Design: Pete Monk Julius Capilitan Executive Printing: Greenlees inner selves and also to step forward Wellington and to have an awareness of those David Aitken Executive Photography: Thanks to all the members of around us. Our school mottoNil our school community who kindly supplied Auckland photographs for this edition of Rock Runner. mortalibus ardui est tells us that Nothing is Impossible for Mortal Terry Brailsford Auckland Man. Dwayne Smith Auckland CONTRIBUTIONS This tapestry of Rathkeale life surely Michael Caulton Auckland The Editor thanks all those who contributed articles and images to the Rock Runner. We represents a reassuring platform Jamie Treadwell Hawke's Bay are always glad to receive relevant material from which to tackle the vagaries Hamish Gibbs Hawke's Bay for future magazines. This could include of life and to cope with the changes articles, names of likely contributors and and challenges that 2020 has so Dan Druzianic Hawke's Bay obituaries. These should be sent to: unceremoniously served up. Simon Manthel Manawatu [email protected] Grant Harper George Pottinger Canterbury Editor Sam Johnson Canterbury Philip Harcourt United Kingdom Rathkeale Old Boys’ Association GRANT HARPER (1967-71) - President he best laid plans of mice and Although Queen’s Birthday fundraise in support of the purchase men can oft go astray. weekend is now firmly established of the residual acres of the Maunsell Robbie Burns. as Reunion weekend for decade Estate comprising farm and bush T gatherings, the pandemic resulted land on the College boundary. This in all gatherings being postponed represents an exciting, challenging until 2021. This will mean that the and historic opportunity for the It is with pleasure that I submit this gathering of ten year groups, along Association, in association with the report of the Association’s activity with twenty years of past members Trinity Schools Trust Board and the over the past twelve months. of the Rathkeale singers and Viva Friends of Rathkeale, to enhance 2020 began confidently for the Camerata, will make for a vibrant the College and the educational and Old Boys’ Association, with an weekend to look forward to. In the recreational opportunities it offers. Executive keen to maintain the meantime, we thank those Old Boys The association acknowledges the momentum generated during 2019. who accepted the role of year group valued support of the Rathkeale Unfortunately, the advent of the Facilitator and wish them well as Foundation in underwriting ROBA’s Covid pandemic took its toll on our they marshall their cohorts. commitment. daily lives and on the plans in place Regional gatherings planned for 2020 witnessed the establishment for the 2020 year. As a consequence, the year have been thwarted by of the Old Boys’ Association there is less to reflect upon than social distancing and lockdown Scholarship awarded to sons of Old would normally be the case. restrictions. However, the Memorial Boys. This has been well-received The Executive has continued to work Service held for Bruce Hamilton and will again be awarded for the purposefully to enhance outcomes in July and addressed by past 2021 year. for members. The continuation of Headmaster, John Taylor, Old Once again, the Association’s 2020 Officers in key roles is advantageous. Boy Simon Werthmuller & ROBA Leavers’ event and enrolment took We are very fortunate that Vice President, Grant Harper, attracted the form of a formal dinner in early President/ Secretary, Ed Cox, is a large number of past staff, Old November. Richard Donworth and prepared to share his time and legal Boys and members of the College Blair Ewington spoke on the theme expertise on our behalf. Treasurer, Community. of “Unexpected turns life can take”. Scott Andrew, works conscientiously The same was true of Founders’ Day Again, virtually all boys opted for to guard Association funds, whilst in September, which focused on long Association membership and were Blair Ewington does valuable work service staff and particularly Grant presented with their Old Boys ties. with the database and Facebook. Harper’s 40 years on the staff. The Other members of the Executive assembly addressed by ROBA Vice The establishment of a new ROBA have kept in touch via monthly President, Edward Cox and past website last year has grown in meetings, much online activity and Principal, Bruce Levick also attracted significance this year and there Zoom meetings. All are thanked for a good muster of Old Boys, family is growing evidence of its use as their valuable input. and Friends of the School. a significant reference point for members. A training session on 2020 began with the annual A lot of deliberation has taken the management and the site was encounter between the Old Boys’ place regarding the Association’s found valuable by members of the Cricket Club and the College XI. support of the Trinity Schools Trust Executive. Once again, Shay O’Gorman was Board’s purchase of further land central to the organization of the for the College. The work done in Although the Association no longer match which was won by the preparation for the Special General utilises Notice Match, we have College team for the third time in ten Meeting held on 7 November was been saddened by the passing of a years. The Association appreciates significant and, in part, resulted in number of our community including the commitment that Old Boy thirty-two Old Boys attending. The Honorary Old Boy and Patron of players make to this important and unanimous support of all motions the Old Boys’ Cricket Club, Bruce growing tradition. gave the Executive a clear mandate Hamilton, Richard Smyth (1981-84) to utilise existing funds and to and Steven Briggs (1965-68). Financially, the Association remains As a Covid-dominated 2020 draws in a strong position. This reflects to a close, it is possible to reassure the high number of leavers who Old Boys that, despite a range of annually elect to become life challenges beyond our control, members. The decision to support the Association has continued to the purchase of the Maunsell operate and to plan for the future block to the tune of $200,000 will in a manner that, once again, will necessitate active fundraising. This enhance the well-being of Old Boys will be both challenging and also and of the College. potentially invigorating for the Executive, who is keen to access Grant Harper a range of income options for the President future. Any school gathering offers the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Bruce Hamilton's Memorial Service was just one of several occasions that saw the reunion of former staff and friends of the school. Left: Former Principal Bruce Levick and former Headmaster John Taylor stride once more across the grounds of Rathkeale. Below left: : BoT Chair George Murdoch catches up with former Principal Willy Kersten. Rathkeale Board of Trustees Chairman of the Rathkeale College Board of Trustees George Murdoch reports on the Board's work in 2020. reetings from the Rathkeale job under difficult circumstances and we Board of Trustees. Last are delighted that it was completed in time year I wrote that 2019 had for our end of year prizegiving in the first G been a year of challenges at week of December.